The State of Play
Pakistan open the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy tomorrow when they take on New Zealand in a momentous moment for cricket in the country.
It is the first ICC tournament staged in Pakistan since the terror attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009 and there will be huge pressure on local authorities to provide a safe and welcoming environment for seven of the eight participating teams.
India will not be visiting its near neighbour with ongoing political tensions meaning all their games will be staged in Dubai, including their clash with Pakistan on February 23.
Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi – ready for the action! 🏟️✨
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begins tomorrow 🏆#ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/mKILvYhbGI
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 18, 2025
Before that, Pakistan have the chance to get the defence of the title they won in 2017 up and running and gain revenge on the Black Caps, who won the recent tri-series that also involved South Africa.
The hosts can still veer from the brilliant to the dreadful and captain Mohammad Rizwan knows consistency is the key in tournament cricket.
He said: “There are ups and downs and certain deficiencies in our side. We are aware we need to bring about certain improvements in our professionalism and consistency.
“We tried to learn from the tri-series, which is why we batted first in the final to work out where our weaknesses lie. We used that series as a training experience. We hope we’ve learned enough to cover for those weaknesses tomorrow.
“Every player is desperate for this title. And we’re doing everything we can to work out how to win. I don’t think any country works as hard as we do.”
New Zealand are canny operators and come into the game as favourites, despite some key absentees.
Spinning all-rounders Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell could be important if the wickets throw up the usual recipe of spin and bounce.
Team News
Pakistan’s main injury concern is Haris Rauf but the paceman is expected to be fit after bowling several overs in the nets in the build up. Rauf sustained a chest injury against New Zealand on February 8 but is set to return to the starting XI.
New Zealand come into the tournament without injured fast bowlers Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears but opener Rachin Ravindra is likely to be fit after not playing since being hit on the head while fielding in the first game of the tri-series.
Expected line-ups
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
New Zealand: Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Will O’Rourke
The captains. The challenge. The pursuit for glory!
It’s All on the Line at #ChampionsTrophy 2025 🏆 pic.twitter.com/NreHUPrcyL
— ICC (@ICC) February 18, 2025
How to Watch
The ICC Champions Trophy can be watched in the UK on Sky Sports. Wednesday’s coverage starts on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket at 0830.
In India, it is being shown on the JioStar network with JioHotstar providing live streaming. On television, in addition to the English feed, coverage will also be available in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada across Star Sports and Sports18 channels.
Prediction
New Zealand were much too strong for Pakistan in the recent tri-series and it’s hard to see anything changing here.
Add in the fact Pakistan will be under enormous pressure to succeed on home soil under the gaze of an expectant fan base, and it could be a tricky opening day for Rizwan and Co.
The Black Caps are tricky customers and could go deep if their spinners find their range.
We’re going for New Zealand to rain on the Pakistan parade.
